16-year-old arrested after teenager shot to death in south Minneapolis

David Joles, Dml - Star Tribune Star TribuneA Minneapolis police officer comforts a man who identified himself as a brother of a fatal shooting victim Friday in the 2900 block of Bloomington Avenue. S.

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot after an argument with other teens Friday afternoon in a south Minneapolis alley, family members said. Another 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the shooting, police said.

The boy was shot about 3:30 p.m. behind an apartment building in the 2900 block of Bloomington Avenue S. after "a confrontation involving a number of people," according to Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. William Palmer.

The victim was able to run around the small building and get through the front door, where police found him. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died, Palmer said.

At the scene, family members gathered to grieve, at one point forming a prayer circle.

The victim was identified as Trequan Sykes by a woman who said she was his godmother. Sykes lived with her in the apartment building and was a student at Roosevelt High School, she said.

She said Sykes had gotten into a confrontation about a month ago with the same group of teenagers believed to have been involved in Friday's shooting.

The arrest was made by 7:30 p.m., Palmer said.

Minneapolis City Council Member Gary Schiff, who was also out at the scene talking to family members, said he doesn't believe the city has made much progress in the past decade in the fight against juvenile violence.

"We're not doing enough, and what we are doing isn't working," he said.

Abdi Abdi, 18, who lives across the street from the apartment building, said he heard two gunshots about 3:20 p.m. and went to his balcony. From it, he saw a young man without a shirt and a bloody shoulder limp from the back alley and enter the building's front door. An ambulance soon arrived.

"Especially in broad daylight, it happening was shocking," said Abdi.

He said he has lived in the area for about eight years and could recall several other teen shooting deaths in the neighborhood. "It's crazy and hectic out here," he said, adding that he's been scared to walk his dog in the area.

Wardi Farah, 18, who lives down the street, said that it was sad to hear that somebody had been shot. His own brother was shot and killed last summer in south Minneapolis, he said.

Earlier this week, Amazon announced that it's hiring 1,000 more full-time workers at its Shakopee fulfillment center. But city and county officials are still assessing reliable transportation options for the 1,500 people who already work there.